Jeff Bridges has officially replaced Zach Galifianakis in the upcoming film ‘R.I.P.D.,’ Reelzchannel is reporting. The Academy Award-winning actor was in negotiations for a month to appear alongside Ryan Reynolds as an officer in the Rest in Peace Department (R.I.P.D.) after the ‘Hangover Part II’ actor dropped out of the film in the beginning of April 2011.

‘R.I.P.D.,’ which is based on the Dark Horse comic book of the same name, will be helmed by ‘RED’ director Robert Schwentke. Reynolds will portray the recently deceased Nick Cruz, while Bridges will play his partner, who has been dead since the 1800s. There’s no official word yet how closely the script, which was penned by screenwriters Matt Manfredi and Phil Hay, will stick to the comic series. But producer Neal Moritz has called the screenplay a terrific buddy action/comedy for a PG-13 audience.

The ‘R.I.P.D.’ comic series by Peter Lenkoy and Lucas Marangon follows the devoted officers of the divine law enforcement agency as they “patrol the deadbeat” and “report to one boss.” Nick died at the height of his personal and professional lives, and joined the R.I.P.D. because not knowing who killed him has left his soul restless. Nick is determined to find out who killed him, so that he can get into heaven.

by Karen Benardello